Marseille - the frontdoor of Provence

Marseille - the frontdoor of Provence13Marseillefr

Founded in 600 BC by the Greeks from Phocaea, Marseille is the oldest city in France and the second largest after Paris - come along!

Marseille has much to offer its locals and tourists: an incredible coastline, a harbour which turns foreign sailors green with envy and 300 days of sunshine every year! This is home to almost 900,000 people living in its 16 districts, most of which have held onto their authentic village atmosphere.

The city has an impressive natural heritage with numerous lush parks in the heart of the city, offering refreshing havens when the sun is beating down. Just a few kilometres from the Vieux-Port lies the Calanques National Park, which is the perfect spot for year-round outdoor activities. The famous Calanques cover 20 kilometres with untamed creeks to explore and clear blue water to enjoy.

A dozen museums exhibit a wide variety of collections from antiquity to modern art, and several galleries display the work of famous artists and rising stars. Marseille is the European Capital of Culture in 2013 offering a variety of entertainment all year long. The city and region host over 400 events, including performances, street art, exhibitions, theatre, literary debates, and Mediterranean cooking.

As you stroll around this Mediterranean city you will see its impressive heritage for yourself. Marseille is brimming with hidden gems from the old town of Panier to the Second Empire buildings and the Roman churches.

Marseille is now also known for its economic projects, particularly with the Euroméditerranée project, which has seen major architects such as Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma and Stefano Boeri redesign the city. The Vieux-Port has been fully reworked by the architects at Norman Foster. This fantastic location will be pedestrianised to restore it to its former glory in Marseille.

So, are you ready for a trip back in time?

Unmissable things to do in Marseille

Admire the panoramic view from Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde

Discover the small fishing ports, the creeks, the If Castle and the archipelago of Frioul

Stroll by the markets of Marseille

Sip a pastis at sunset on the Vieux-Port

See an exhibition in the Vieille Charité Museum and have a walk in the « Panier » district

Watch a game at the Velodrome Stadium

Jog on the Corniche

Try out the local gastronomic specialities such as the fish soup (bouillabaisse)

Marseillaise’s Gastronomy

The friendly atmosphere is the main flavour of meals here in Marseille where the typical daily fare includes olive oil and garlic. At the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Marseille is no stranger to foreign cuisine and has even adopted some recipes as its own. The result? Spicy dishes with a sunny touch, not to mention fish, shellfish and other seafood delicacies that make up the local fare.

In Marseilles, the culinary traditions are numerous. First of all, there's the famous bouillabaisse: the most reknown fish speciality in the world, which is closely linked to the image of Marseille.